Sen. Rod Hickman

Maddy summarySB 2793 would require Mississippi's Secretary of State to create a public online registry for private companies that provide services to government agencies under the state's Tort Claims Act. These private entities, defined as "employees" of government under existing law, would be mandated to register with the Secretary of State. The registry would make information about these service providers publicly accessible. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2609 would create new public high schools in Mississippi that partner with community colleges or universities, allowing students in grades 9-12 to earn college credits toward an associate's degree or two years of transferable college credit while completing high school. The bill requires state funding to be transferred directly to partnering colleges, prohibits tuition for most college courses, and mandates open enrollment with a lottery system if capacity is exceeded. It permanently recognizes the existing pilot program at East Mississippi Community College and sets rules for establishing future schools, including requirements for partnerships with local school districts.

Maddy summarySB 2600, the "Mental Awareness Program for School Act," would have required Mississippi public schools to implement trauma-informed mental health support systems. It mandated educator training on trauma-informed approaches (via amended Section 37-3-89), set a 1:250 student-to-school-counselor ratio (with flexibility for underfunded districts to share one counselor across multiple schools), and required each school to form a trauma-informed team. The bill also directed the Department of Education and Mental Health to create a support toolkit for schools and required districts to report counselor staffing to the state. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2734, the Kratom Control Act, requires businesses selling kratom products in Mississippi to obtain a state-issued retail license ($250 annually per location) and post clear signage stating "No person under 21 may purchase." It mandates age verification for all sales (requiring ID for anyone under 27), establishes random unannounced inspections by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and creates a program funded by license fees to train vendors on responsible sales practices. Violations, such as selling without a license or failing to post signage, can result in fines or license suspension. The law directly affects kratom retailers, distributors, and consumers under 21.

Maddy summarySB 2725 would prohibit Mississippi from providing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits to any individual or family with income exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level. This change would directly affect low-income households seeking TANF assistance, making those earning above this threshold ineligible for benefits. The bill does not alter existing TANF rules on work requirements, family composition, or benefit amounts but adds a new income-based eligibility criterion. It would adjust Mississippi's TANF program to align with a stricter income limit than current state practice.

Maddy summarySB 2718 would require Mississippi to redirect 30% of its annual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). This would provide child care vouchers for qualifying children in families receiving TANF assistance, specifically supporting parents who need childcare to work or attend education programs. The bill mandates this annual transfer without creating new funding, directly affecting TANF recipient families needing childcare support. It modifies existing TANF administration rules to prioritize child care access for eligible households.

Maddy summarySB 2625 would allow Mississippi voters who register after the 30-day deadline but before election day to cast a ballot using a signed affidavit at their polling place. This applies specifically to individuals who legally registered late but were otherwise eligible to vote. Voters would complete a written affidavit stating they believe they are registered and eligible, and their ballot would be processed in a separate envelope requiring verification of ID within five business days to be counted. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was not enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2626, the EASE Act, establishes a program within Mississippi's Secretary of State's office to simplify the process for restoring voting rights after legislative approval. It requires publishing clear criteria (like waiting periods after prison release, proof of paid fines, and rehabilitation completion), creating a public online portal for applications, and launching a media campaign to inform eligible individuals. The program ensures applicants can track their status and that voting rights are restored for the next election after a suffrage bill is approved. It directly affects people whose voting rights were restored by the legislature under Mississippi's 1890 Constitution but need administrative support to regain voting access. The bill aims to make the existing restoration process more transparent and accessible, requiring applicants to secure a legislator sponsor for their voting rights request.

Maddy summarySB 2318 extends the time survivors can file civil lawsuits for specific child sexual abuse cases. It allows individuals to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred or their age, between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2027 - effectively creating a temporary 3-year window. This applies to offenses like child sexual battery (§97-3-95), exploitation (§97-5-33), and human trafficking involving minors. The bill does not change the standard 10-year window after age 21 but adds this limited exception period. The temporary provision expires on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 2474 establishes a 12-member "Statewide Intervention Courts Task Force" to study Mississippi's current intervention courts and develop recommendations for creating a statewide system. The task force, including judges, attorneys, court officials, and community members, must evaluate models from other states, current court operations, funding needs, and implementation procedures by December 1, 2025. This bill is procedural - it does not enact new law but directs the task force to produce a report for the Legislature and Supreme Court. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.